Computex: Everyone's Got an Android Tablet
This year at Computex, everyone talks about how "slow" the show is. From one company to the next, the feeling is the same. The most interesting part is that Android tablets took the show by storm. Everyone's making one. It literally feels like if your company has a showing at Computex, they'll have an Android tablet.
Does this mean that Android tablets will dominate? Not so fast.
Speaking with several vendors who wanted to remain anonymous about the subject, the general conclusion is that you have to get on the Android tablet bandwagon in order to look like you're a legitimate player. However, when asked if things will be competitive with Apple, the unanimous answer is that tablets may just very well be a mainstream success that's exclusive to Apple.
Why?
Platform dominance. Easy user interface. App store eco-system. Users willing to pay for apps.
Some vendors feel like the the majority of Android users expect apps to be free, since the entire essence behind Android is to be "open." And open usually means free. The mindset in the iOS space is that cheap apps are perfectly fine. But vendors tell us that things are not quite the same in the Android camp. Unfortunately, this has lead to fragmented app development.
Hardware fragmentation is another major issue that developers must overcome. Designing your app to look great on one tablet, may end up looking different on another. But manufacturers will fall back on advertisements that tout hardware features rather than platform features.
One interesting detail that some vendors mentioned is that Samsung might be the only company with a fighting chance. This is because Samsung manufactures its own LCD panels, and may be able to subsidized pricing on tablets to be competitive with Apple. It is still difficult for many manufacturers to control their price points due to the fact that their own tablets aren't moving in huge volumes. Apple has massive buying power and can command deeper discounts thanks to the success of the iPad.
We will still have to wait and see how things turn out. It's clear that many companies are pushing for Android tablets but thoughts within their executive teams are, at this time, worrisome.
These companies find it more profitable to sell clones rather than be innovative. They have no aim to drive this industry.
first off the world economy is bouncing back, its the US economy that cant figure out how to get itself back together. Many of those people that cant afford the nice toy, probably either didn't go to school, or got a degree in underwater basket weaving.
Secondly you're a giant douche, people have credit for a reason, they buy stuff they cant afford, its the AMERICAN way. If a tech company were to put decent features that would actually benefit people in tablets, people would buy it with credit. If you want to talk about how thats what got the world into this 'mess' feel free to respond and ill rip you another one about that subject.
Just because you are struggling does not mean everyone else is. I am 23 and just bought a $3.5k laptop (I know I am a retard and you all will tell me how I could have had a better desktop blah blah blah). People with jobs have money, a lot of them are willing to spend that money.
Why must everyone have a tablet? Is there some sort of law?
yes, congress is voting to pass a 'no tablet = act of war' bill.
I have a good job too, and a mortgage, and a family, and home repairs and the rest of life to pay for. Lot's of people have jobs, (90% of the workforce) not a lot of people have disposable income.
I would say their marketing and advertising strategies are huge if not the hugest fail. Don't spout nonsense the avg person wont comprehend just to sound intelligent. Literally show how its used, show how its use is better than another.
Disclaimer: This is a comment and not any official statement. Any spelling or grammar errors appear because any person of average or better intelligence will understand what I mean.
LOL... guess I'm just on the opposing front then. No tablets, smartphones, or even laptops for me. My computer stays at home!
Thanks for clarifying by point.
As for the genius that speaks of drones continuing to buy on credit, well it used to be easy to keep doing the wrong thing by buying on credit and digging yourself in deeper into debt, not so much anymore credit is much harder to come by and the interest and penalties are much more severe when you fail to pay on time.
The spending spree on credit in the US died about three years ago.
Ipad is good for games and taking notes and light Internet. This is not too hard to copy but only apple fan boys that need to look cool with a ipad will spend that sort of money on something that does so little
Apple currently has Achille's heel which will eventually undermine their own dominance. Their excessive need to control and maintain a closed platform will turn many buyers away to the Android camp which will remain open, and their conflicting need to control the media format on their platform (such as the fate of those who need to sell content and hardware at the same time, such as Sony), will eventually put up too much stumbling blocks for them that other vendors will move ahead.
However, if Apple is able to such inherent pitfalls in their business, they might eventually dominate the tablet sales, and in many ways, making in roads to even productivity platforms (i.e. intel/Microsoft domain). However, the challenges are many and I don't see how they can really succeed.
Before that can happen, Intel and Microsoft are going to throw away so much money to stop them, and every vendors will be supporting due to the fact that Apple runs a closed platform which no other vendor can benefit except Apple itself. Being closed platform will eventually lead to Apple's downfall.
But that is the point isn't it? Apple's typical fan base really DO lack a brain (Well, at least a technical one). They use hype and looks to market products to technological idiots. Some people actually believe that their hardware and products from Apple are somehow special and superior. Little do they know the only difference is a different OS and outdated peripherals. They're just trying to be too cool for school with their iPad.
Oh, and for you special snowflakes out there, I DO understand that about 10% of Apples fan base may actually have some technological intellect and actually understand exactly what their product is, and the hardware inside of it. You'll come at me with arguments of how you prefer it and like it better, and how you EVEN BUILD YOUR OWN GAMING RIGS LIKE I SOMEHOW COULD NOT BELIEVE A PERSON ONCE BUILT PC GAMING RIGS, BUT NOW PREFERS AND CHOOSES APPLE. Suffice to say, you're just the black sheep; The fact still remains, most of Apple customers don't understand computers whatsoever.....outside of Facebook browsing and flash game sites.